The prognostic impact of specific CD4 T-cell responses is critically dependent on the target antigen in melanoma

The melanoma-associated antigens Melan-A and NY-ESO-1 stimulate different T-cell responses in late-stage melanoma patients. Either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T-cell reactivity against NY-ESO-1 was associated with better prognosis, but for Melan-A, only CD8(+) but not CD4(+) T-cell responses were associated with longer survival.